Day 1 - Getting
Started If you want to celebrate
spring in Azerbaijan, here is what to do.Make "samani".

Find a pretty plate.
Cover it with one, thick, single layer of seeds.

Wheat or lentils both grow very well.
But don't mix them. Choose one or the other.
Water the seeds and cover them with a wet paper towel.

Place the plate in a place where the seeds will get sunlight
- a place where it is warm and bright. Then wait for the "samani"
to start growing.

Day 2Check your seeds three
or four times a day to make sure that the paper towel is always
damp. This is like homework. You always have to remember to do
it. Don't let the seeds get dry.

Day 4
The seeds are already starting to grow. When the green sprouts
are about one fourth of an inch high or as long as your fingernail,
take off the paper towel so that the wheat can grow even taller.

Make sure the seeds have plenty of sun and water. Wait some more.

Day 5 The "samani"
is already one inch tall. It is growing fast now. Check for water
and sun.

Don't let your cats get too close. They might want to eat the
grass!

Day 6Keep checking the seeds
to make sure they have water and sun. Watch and keep waiting.

Day 7The wheat grass is four
inches tall. Awesome! It's growing so fast right in front of
our eyes!

Above: The Samani is ready! Kathleen Shryock with her
children, Lucas and Rachel with the red ribbon tied around the
"samani".

Day 10The wheat grass is now
at least six inches tall. It's ready to decorate.

Now tie a bright-colored ribbon
around your "samani".

We picked red for Azerbaijan.
They use red, too. Now place the "samani" in the middle
of your table to celebrate the coming of Spring! Happy First
Day of Spring!
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